Why do I love Montreal so damned much?

[KurtNYC]

Could be their approach to food. Great food is one of the more consistent pleasures in this life and Montreal excels in providing it. There are more restaurants per person in Montreal than in any other city in North America. The competition between them seems to drive them all to make even ordinary items into culinary works of art. Consider this hamburger:

There are nice touches here, which indicates the kitchen is thinking about the details. The espresso came with a tiny carafe of warm milk. Some of the sandwiches come with Japanese mayonnaise, something with which I am quite familiar – it has a rich, slightly horse-radishy side note that is irresistible. The beer comes in a tall beer glass, not some cheap off-the-shelf mug.

And the food? A minestrone soup was hearty and had obviously never seen the inside of a can.
The hamburger was thankfully not one of those half-pound monstrosities that are impossible to finish, but was a nicely done egg-shaped patty on a grilled roll with crispy bacon, a roasted tomato and good cheese. I would have to say it approached and with the roasted tomato touch even surpassed La Paryse’s offerings, though that’s open to interpretation.

If they put that much into a burger and soup (for $7CA) just imagine what they do with fancier fare! The city is dotted with green markets selling local produce and one of the bigger ones, Marche Jean Talon has a gelato maker that converts the freshest berries into heavenly gelato like this:


...becomes ...


http://www.thefoodsection.com/foodsection/movfeast_montreal/index.html

[redwitch]

1. I love Montreal too!

Haven't been since last summer, time to head up the Northway soon. I'm only a few hours away and it is a beautiful drive too.
I love all the street festivals, the food, the European flair, the architecture, the history, the sidewalk cafes...

[meegbear]

2. I love it too!

This is Gay Pride week there and if I could've afforded it, I'd be there this weekend (been going 4 years now).

[pagerbear]

3. Only been once but loved it.

I need to go again. I'm quite fond of Toronto, too.

[meegbear]

5. Hey you!

:hi:

[pagerbear]

6. Howdy!

[meegbear]

7. Welcome back big boy

[pagerbear]

8. Thanks

I do seem to be back, don't I?

[KurtNYC]

9. Yes - Welcome back!

[pagerbear]

10. Thanks. Glad to see you're still here.

At one time you were planning to move, right?

[KurtNYC]

11. Yes

to Toronto or Montreal. Haven't ruled it out yet. I'm in Montreal the last week of August -- that will probably put the hook back in me. Went to Toronto in the dead of Winter and decided I could handle that but Toronto doesn't move me the way Montreal does. And my french is not quite employable yet. je parle surlement une peu francais

[pagerbear]

12. I have a buncha single friends in Toronna, if you want a Canadian hubby

I could set you up! **pagerwink**

[ThomCat]

4. I'm going there at the end of the summer!

I miss Montreal. I don't get up there nearly often enough.